Comment o’ the Week, Ye Skeptical Scallywags

Yar, ’tis Talk Like a Pirate Day but I just can’t keep that up through an entire CotW post. Sarrrrrrry.

Before I get to the big show, I’d like to make note of the fact that Donna, who has written 250 posts on Skepchick since December of 2006, will be scaling back a bit on posting. From now on, she’ll only be posting book reviews and author interviews, as well as the occasional Afternoon Inquisition. Also, we’re hoping that in the future we can work with Donna to help enact some of her very cool ideas for raising money for secular charities through crafts.

All the Skepchicks been talking a lot lately about how to keep this site functioning as a fun, positive environment, and a big part of that is making sure that the writers themselves are having fun and staying positive. I think the new arrangement should do just that.

Therefore, the winner this week is the ever-amusing LBB, for this gem:

LBB// Sep 12, 2008 at 9:55 am
Instead of just tackling, I think we need Evolution vs. Creationism mudwrestling! Except the Evolutionist is allowed to change tactics in response to conditions like the size of the opponent, the viscosity of the mud, and increasing levels of fatigue. The Creationist gets one god-given move that must be relied on exclusively, no matter how ineffective it is.

Rebecca leads a team of skeptical female activists at Skepchick.org. She travels around the world delivering entertaining talks on science, atheism, feminism, and skepticism. There is currently an asteroid orbiting the sun with her name on it. You can follow her every fascinating move on Twitter or on Google+.

Donna, I hope you’re happy in your modified role as a Skepchick contributor. I don’t always agree with you, but I admire your frankness and your willingness to engage in debate. I’m glad that you’ll still take the time to review books that I don’t have time to read.

All the Skepchicks been talking a lot lately about how to keep this site functioning as a fun, positive environment, and a big part of that is making sure that the writers themselves are having fun and staying positive. I think the new arrangement should do just that.

The Skepchick blog is hard work, especially considering that it is an all-volunteer effort. I think that you guys do a great job – even when you are angry and vicious rather than fun and positive.

I will continue to complain occasionally, but that is because I am an ass, not because you folks are doing anything wrong.

@SteveT: Yar, Steve (half an hour left on the holiday), good question, sorry if I wasn’t very clear. We Skepchick writers are a pretty tight group, and when someone isn’t feeling 100% it’s kind of obvious to us. This wasn’t a one-sided thing in which I asked Donna to post less . . . Donna and I discussed it and came to the best decision we could. I’m quite fond of Donna and love her contributions. That said, this is an unpaid gig that anyone can leave at any time. Donna writes for a number of blogs in addition to maintaining her own knitting projects and site, which is quite a bit. We want to make sure she’s happy and not overstressed — that (should) make everyone happier in the end. :)